Gazettal of Notices for introduction of additional microchip formats for dog identification
The Rabies Regulation (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 (the Amendment Notice) and the Rabies (Transponders on Imported Dogs) (Exemption) Notice (the Exemption Notice) were published in the Gazette today (June 6). The Amendment Notice aims to introduce the International Organization for Standardization standard microchip (ISO microchip) containing the specific code of Hong Kong for dog identification purposes and as evidence that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, while the Exemption Notice will exempt legally imported dogs from the need of implanting a microchip as mentioned above.
A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, "Currently, many countries and places commonly use the ISO microchip. The Government will introduce an ISO microchip containing the specific code of Hong Kong in addition to the existing AVID microchip. Dogs in Hong Kong already implanted with the AVID microchip and dogs legally imported and implanted with the ISO microchip do not need to additionally implant the ISO microchip containing the specific code of Hong Kong. The new measure will further facilitate the movement of dogs into and out of Hong Kong while ensuring the source of the microchip could be traced."
To prevent and control rabies, the Rabies Regulation (Cap. 421A) requires keepers of dogs to ensure that their dogs are vaccinated against rabies, microchipped and licensed at the age of 5 months, and thereafter the dogs are to be revaccinated against rabies and have the licence renewed every three years. The Government has consulted the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council and stakeholders, including licensed animal traders, animal welfare organisations, pet transport agents, veterinary clinics and animal organisations regarding the Notices and have obtained general support.
The two Notices will be tabled by the Government before the Legislative Council at its sitting on June 11 for negative vetting, and will enter into force on August 1, 2025.
DH steps up inspections to premises offering RGA hair growth or platelet-rich plasma services to safeguard public health
In light of the recent investigation by the Department of Health (DH) that some shops are suspected of performing Regenera Activa hair growth (an autologous cell transplant medical procedure, referred as RGA) or platelet-rich plasma injections, contravening the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633) (the Ordinance) which prohibits operating a day procedure centre (DPC) without a licence, the DH today (February 16) visited over 30 shops in Hong Kong which claimed to offer similar services in their websites and conducted investigations if the shops involved illegal acts of operating a DPC without a licence to safeguard public health.
During the operation, no RGA or platelet-rich plasma medical procedures were found to be conducted at the shops. Some of the shops would arrange customers to undergo the relevant medical procedures at licensed DPCs. Nevertheless, the DH has reminded the responsible persons of the shops that, according to the Ordinance, transplantation of any cells, tissues or organs, including autograft, allograft, xenograft, processed tissue or blood products (such as platelet-rich plasma) and skin flap, are scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance. Such procedures, when performed in an ambulatory setting, must take place in a licensed DPC. The DH has also issued a letter to remind all registered doctors and dentists of the abovementioned legal requirements. Any person operating a DPC without a licence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for three years.
The DH announced last week that a shop in Mongkok offering RGA hair growth services and platelet-rich plasma injections was suspected of operating a DPC without a licence, the relevant investigation and evidence collection are still ongoing. The DH will seriously follow up on the case, and take appropriate actions against the shop and its responsible persons in accordance with the relevant ordinances.
The DH reminded doctors that before performing RGA, platelet-rich plasma injection or other scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance, they must verify that the premises holds a suitable licence, so as to ensure the best interests of patients and adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct.
Meanwhile, the DH urged the public that before receiving RGA or platelet-rich plasma injection or other scheduled medical procedures stipulated in the Ordinance, they should find out if the premises providing the services had obtained a DPC licence in accordance with the Ordinance. To assist the public in identifying licensed or exempted facilities, the DH has established thePrivate Healthcare Facilities Register, which lists all private healthcare facilities with valid licences and exemptions. DPCs must display their licence in a conspicuous place. Each licence bears a QR code that can be scanned using the eHealth app to verify its validity. For more information, please visit the DH's Office for Regulation of Private Healthcare Facilitieswebpage.
DH steps up inspections to premises offering RGA hair growth or platelet-rich plasma services to safeguard public health Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
